Interactive Reading: While tablets may eventually replace school textbooks, actual books will always have a place, especially with younger children. Read on for some helpful hints for making story time a special part of everyday with your child.
For everybody:
- Try to sit where your child can see your face (that’s where the interesting expressions happen) and cuddle up. Enjoy this special time and have fun.
- Remember read a bit or talk about the picture and WAIT, wait and watch to see what your child will do next, then RESPOND to what they are interested in.
With babies:
- Copy their actions sounds or words. Talk about and feel the pictures. Let them explore the books physically.
With toddlers:
- Make comments about what they are interested in. You’ll be amazed what your child sees in the picture that you missed. Grab their attention by putting their name into the story, and watch them glow with delight. Act out as much as you can.
With pre-schoolers:
- Bring in the idea of predicting what will happen. Read the name of the story and ask them to guess what it may be about by looking at the cover. Encourage your child to get involved in the story by talking about pictures, characters and feelings. Ask your child questions to get them thinking about what’s happening now and what might happen next or in the end. Label and explain new words to your child.
A quiet time in your day for book reading allows for cuddling and bonding and releases all the powerful happy hormones in your child’s brain which help them learn.
